BARROW AFC have appointed former Burton Albion assistant Neill Hornby as Micky Moore's new right-hand man.

Hornby, who worked alongside Gary Rowett, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Nigel Clough at the Brewers, had most recently been operating as first-team scout for Championship club Ipswich Town.

The 51-year-old comes in to replace Marcus Bignot, who spent several weeks working alongside Moore before being appointed as Chester FC boss last month.

Moore has been working by himself since that point, but is pleased to have Hornby on board – having known him for several years, with both hailing from the Midlands and having worked at clubs in the same division for some time.

“I've known him a long time,” said Moore. “He's a good bloke, a good person. He's loyal, he's honest, and I think he'll be good for me to lean on, having had promotions and knowing what it takes.

“He's watched a lot of football in the Conference, below, and in the Football League, so he'll bring a lot to us.

“I've always said when I'm signing players, or bringing in an assistant, I want to bring the right people in – and Neill certainly fits that bill. He's a good person and he's got a fantastic work ethic.”

Hornby has also had spells with New York Red Bulls, Walsall and West Bromwich Albion.

He was part of the coaching set-up at Burton when they won the League Two title, and again when they claimed promotion from League One to the Championship.

Moore sees that experience as key, and added: “I've known him a number of years. When I was at Mansfield, he was at Burton, and you go to a lot of games, so I would see him there. We always used to talk and be on the phone – 'Have you seen this player? What do you think of him? What do you think of him?'

“The friendship has developed over years. I said to him in the past that if the opportunity arose that I could get him involved in some capacity, whether that be scouting or whatever, then I would do, because he's a good person. This opportunity arose that I could get him in as an assistant, and it was too good of an opportunity.”

AFC owner Paul Casson said of the appointment: “I am delighted to have Neill with us as our new assistant manager.

“We met on Tuesday at the training ground and it quickly became obvious that he was the man for the job.

“His skill set and qualities align perfectly with Micky’s and I have no doubts that they will work together to make a fantastic coaching team.”